A Chorus of Praise for Elementary Orchestra Resounds at School Budget Public Hearing

“Save elementary orchestra” is the tune that community members sang on Mar. 16 at the Northfield Public Schools public hearing on the 2011-12 budget.

Of the two dozen people who stepped to the microphone to comment, only a few failed to mention the orchestra program, which is part of a $705,000 cost-cutting package developed by community members in advance of reduced state school aid.

Schools throughout the state are facing the same challenge as the result of an estimated $5 billion state budget shortfall.

Families and students were among the 50 or so people in attendance at Wednesday’s public hearing at the Northfield High school auditorium, which was part of a weeks-long program-based budgeting process seeking to trim 10 percent, or $2.4 million, from next year’s budget.

Grade-schooler Jack Beaumaster praised his orchestra teacher.

St. Olaf freshman Sonja Wermager talked about how being part of the orchestra program from fourth to 12th grade helped her develop valuable life skills.

Steve Amundson said that as technology further isolates children, “it is all the more important that we foster activities like string and orchestral music.” High school freshman Maddie Guyott said, “orchestra should be at the top of the list to save.”

In similar fashion, students and parents alike rose to plead for the elementary Gifted and Talented/Enrichment Services (GATES).

After thanking those who had worked on the budget, Amy Larson said, “GATES provides an important service that will not be replaced if it is eliminated.” She said that one GATES teacher serves 150 students and is a resource to other teachers.

Susan Welch said that the emphasis on standardized testing means students memorize facts and miss out on the joy of learning.

“These are hard economic times but we shouldn’t assume that people are not willing to dig a little deeper” to save the GATES program, she said.

Fourth grader Leah Peck put it simply: “I hope you will keep this program. Thank you.”

High school industrial technology teacher Mark Woitalla asked the board not to cut staff for programs that provide job skills to the 32 percent of graduates who do not go on to four-year colleges. These are the students who will stay in the community fixing cars, building bridges or installing wind turbines, he said.

The sometimes tearful public comments followed those of school board chair Kari Nelson and Superintendent Chris Richardson.

Nelson acknowledged the difficulty of the process, saying that everyone in the room was “hard-wired” to do what is best for kids, yet were faced with deciding what is the “least worst” solution for them.

Richardson said that what he’s hearing from the state capitol is that it’s doubtful the legislature will reach a budget decision without going into a special session -- prolonging uncertainty for the school budget.

Anticipating cuts weeks ago, the Northfield board set in motion a program-based budgeting process. Richardson described the process, which began with forming a district finance committee and five budget reduction committees.

At an earlier meeting, the board decided to cover $1.7 million from a fund reserve, leaving $705,000 in needed cuts. The budget reduction committees then recommended four percent reductions in five areas: district operations, special education, athletics/activities, and the biggest part of the budget, elementary and secondary education.

These committees presented their recommendations to the 55-member district budget review committee on Mar. 2, which ranked the cut items in the event that some could be avoided.

Based on this, Richardson presented his proposed budget at the public hearing.

He proved to be in tune with commenters, because he recommended retaining the $56,000 orchestra staff position, as well as keeping school nurses at 7 hours per day, rather than cutting their work day by 20 minutes as the committee suggested, at the cost of $8,215.

Among other cuts being considered by the board are:

• elementary volunteer coordinator position
• five high school teacher and staff positions
• not filling vacant positions in the district office
• reducing the use of consultants and specialists around the district
• and increasing fees for extracurricular programs.

Nelson said she’s been asked by community members what they can do to help.

“Stay informed and stay involved,” she said. “Help our legislators understand the impact their decisions have on our schools.”

School officials expect to vote on a budget at their April 11 meeting.